Hanging On

Bernanke's Got Backers

Senators predict Fed chair will keep his seat.

With rumors swirling around Washington that Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke will be out of job when his term expires Friday, Sen. Chris Dodd and Sen. Judd Gregg, two influential members of the Senate Banking Committee, said they think the embattled central banker has enough support to be confirmed. "Based on our discussions with our colleagues, we are very confident that Chairman Bernanke will win confirmation by the Senate for a second term," the Democrat and Republican said in a joint statement. Both Dodd and Gregg are retiring this year. According to The Wall Street Journal, 26 senators have said they will confirm Bernanke, 15 said they will oppose him, and the jury's still out on the remaining 59. Bernanke will need 60 votes.